Andrés Beiger

Interpreter Manager @Toronto International Film Festival

Toronto, ON, CA

As Interpreter Manager at the Toronto International Film Festival I am in charge of sourcing, scheduling and at times even training the interpreters that assist the filmmakers Intro the films at the screenings and then with the Q&A. I\'ve developed a simple system to vet potential candidates yielding an improved overall level of interpretation. It’s quick, over the phone and has produced remarkable results, Directors are now mostly always very pleased with the interpretation they receive and on several occasions have made their return to subsequent TIFF organized events and festivals contingent on a specific interpreter being there. I also hold an Interpreters Workshop for all new to TIFF interpreters. Even if you have three decades of interpreting experience, the workshop is mandatory. It’s critical for me to see their presence in front of the cinema before sending a potential candidate to a live assignment. Held in cinema 3 at the Lightbox, spot light and microphone turned on, the idea is to make sure the interpreters are comfortable speaking through a mic & not intimidated in front of mostly empty seats. Interpreting in this environment is very different, language skill and proficiency aren’t the sole measures…charisma, confidence and culture are very important as well in this game.I generally schedule about 130 individual interpretation sessions consisting of screenings, red carpets, press conferences & press interviews. Liaising with our press office is mostly what I do once the Festival has started. Live televised events need to be carefully coordinatedI guess what I strive for is to make coming to TIFF an incredible experience for the guest Director and a really cool gig for the interpreter. It may be a film festival but it’s important, REALLY important for the filmmaker, important to the actual Festival, but mostly, the audience.

York University

Master in Conference Interpreting, MCI, CANDIDATE

Ryerson University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Film Studies